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Getting your body ready for a baby

Giving your baby the best start in life means getting your own health in order before you get pregnant. If you can, plan a year or so ahead, so that changes to your diet and lifestyle have time to take effect.

If you have an existing medical condition, such as epilepsy, asthma or migraine, you should arrange an appointment with your doctor to discuss your health three months before you want to conceive.

Some GP’s will also book you in for a general pre-pregnancy health check-up, even if you do not have an existing health problem, and some private health insurers also offer a pre-pregnancy health check. Some of the medical tests that you can expect as a part of a pre-pregnancy check will include the following;

Internal examination

You may be given a check if you have had problems in the past with your periods. If you have an infection or a condition such as fibroids or ovarian cysts, you can start treating the problem now and increase your odds of a healthy pregnancy.

Cervical smear

There’s no harm in having a cervical smear test done before you get pregnant, so if your next smear is scheduled within the next year, book in for one.

Urine sample

If there’s any chance that you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you may be asked for a urine sample so that it can be checked.

UTI's have been associated with miscarriage, low-birthweight babies and premature labour, so if you have one you'll want to get it cleared up before you conceive.

Blood test

You may be given a blood test to check your type and look for anaemia or any other abnormalities.

Blood pressure check

Pregnant women with high blood pressure (hypertension) are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia, so it's important to control high blood pressure before you conceive.

Sexually transmitted infections

If you are at high risk of having any sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), it’s very important to be tested by your GP.

Check your immunisation records

A blood test will show whether you've been inoculated for diseases such as rubella (German measles) in the past.

If you need to be vaccinated, you should wait for three months after the injection before trying to conceive, as your body will need time to eliminate the injected virus.

It's theoretically possible for an unborn child to contract the virus and (as with rubella) suffer birth defects including deafness, encephalitis, and heart problems. You may also consider having a tetanus booster if you're at risk from the disease hepatitis B.

Parasitic disease test

A blood test can also determine whether you've had a parasitic disease in the past such as toxoplasmosis. This can be transmitted through cat faeces or undercooked meat.

To avoid any risk of the disease, take extra care to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, and have someone else empty the litter tray if you own a cat.

Genetic testing and counselling

If you or your partner have any family history of any genetic disease or related risk factors, speak to your GP. Indeed, this is a good time to talk with your GP about any concerns you or your partner may have.

Need some further advice?

The following groups and contacts promote sexual and reproductive health in Southern Ireland and can answer and questions or worries.

Irish Family Planning Association
60 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
Tel: 01 – 806 9444
Fax: 01 – 806 9445
E-mail post@ifpa.ie

AIDS WEST
Ozanam House
St. Augustine Street
Galway
Helpline: 091 562213
Tel: 091 566266
Fax: 091 564708
Email: info@aidswest.ie

Ulster
AIDS Help North West
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Tel: 074 2550
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10:00am – 12noon

Cork
Alliance Centre for Sexual Health
16 Peters St., Cork
Tel: 021 427 5837
E-mail: alliance@eircom.net
Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Limerick
Red Ribbon Project
Redwood House
9 Cecil Street
Limerick
Tel. (061) 314354
Helpline (061) 316661
E-mail: rrp@indigo.ie

Dublin
Cáirde
19 Belvedere Place
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 855 2111
E-mail: info@cairde.ie
Monday to Friday 9.30am – 1.00pm, 2.00pm – 5.30pm

Dublin AIDS Alliance
The Eriu Centre
53 Parnell Square West
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 873 3799
E-mail: aids_alliance_dublin@hotmail.com
Monday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm

Open Heart House
2 St. Mary's Place
Dublin 7
Tel: 01 830 5000
E-mail: info@openhearthouse.ie
Monday 2.30pm – 9.00pm
Tuesday 10.30am – 4.00pm
Wednesday, Thursday 10.30am – 5.00pm
Friday 10.30am – 5.00pm

Poz Ireland
PO Box 5187
Dublin 6
Ireland
E-mail: gpi@poz.iol.ie
Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm

G.U.I.D.E Clinic
St. James Hospital
James's St.
Dublin 8
Tel: 01 416 2315/2316
Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm

AIDS Helpline Dublin
Freephone: 1800 459 459

AIDS Helpline Cork
Tel: 021 276 676

AIDS Helpline Belfast
Tel: 0800 137 437

AIDS Helpline Limerick
Tel: 061 316 661

AIDS Helpline Donegal
Tel: 074 25500